Studying with us in 2021/22
It is possible that the 2021/22 academic year may be affected by the ongoing disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Any arrangements put in place by the University for the 2021/22 academic year will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, pandemic-related/health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
Are you interested in engineering that interacts with the human body? Our practice-led Biomedical Engineering degree explores mathematics, anatomy, physiology and computing to meet the rapid advancement in technology which is becoming a vital part of healthcare. Throughout this programme, you will have the option to carry out exciting work placements in the UK and abroad. If this sounds like the degree for you then find out more about our university entry requirements.
Our unique Biomedical Engineering degree programme will provide you with the skills and expertise needed to work in specialist areas such as assistive technology, rehabilitation, medical imaging and robotics, physiology monitoring, cardiopulmonary engineering, m-health and e-health, orthopaedic implants and regenerative medicine/ tissue engineering.
Biomedical Engineering (also known as bioengineering) is a discipline of engineering that interacts with the human body. You will be developing and applying innovative skills in the design, manufacturing and maintenance of medical equipment and devices covering all spectrums from the new born to assistive living for the elderly. Industrial-led practical workshops and labs will help enhance your technical skills. This will enable you to relate ‘real-life’ commercial innovations to the underpinning academic theory learnt in the lectures.
Our state-of-the-art facilities will allow you to explore a variety of biomedical applications including: sensing and measuring on micro and nano scales, personal health tracking, remote diagnosis and monitoring, biomaterials to name a few. The knowledge acquired will then enable you to engage in exciting projects such as designing prostheses or devising new medical technology for physicians and medical professionals to be used in the prognosis, diagnosis and treatment of patients.
Along with these technical skills, as an engineer you will also gain a diverse range of transferrable skills, including effective communication, leadership, the ability to critically assess gaps in target healthcare markets, and the tools required to provide solutions to bridge those gaps.
The programme is currently in progression of accreditation by the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM), the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
You will learn within our recently extended £71 million City South Campus, located in Edgbaston just five minutes from Birmingham City Centre. Our campus has been recently re-developed and provides access to cutting-edge facilities that will enhance and support your learning during your time here.
“It’s really challenging, it’s a course that takes your mind to a place you didn’t even think imaginable. For me, this is a pathway to graduate medicine, for others it’s to hospital engineering departments or health app programming, the possibilities are endless.”
Christina Lawrence
Our Open Day for this course will take place in March 2021. Register now and we will contact you when the booking form goes live.
Christina Lawrence
Since starting Biomedical Engineering at BCU, Christina's had chance to fulfil her original dream of working in the field of medicine while taking advantage of invaluable student support to help her at every step.
We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.
112 UCAS tariff points from A/AS Level |
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Level 2 Qualifications | ||
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UK Qualification | Requirements 2021/22 | |
GCSE |
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City and Guilds Level 2 Certificates in Adult Numeracy/ Adult Literacy |
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Functional Skills/ Essential Skills level 2 |
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Key Skills level 2 |
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Irish Leaving Certificate (Ordinary Level) |
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Scottish Intermediate 2 |
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Scottish Credit Standard Grade |
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Scottish National 5 |
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IELTS |
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Level 3 (and above) Qualifications | ||
UK Qualification | Requirements 2021/22 | |
A level and Advanced VCE |
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Access to HE Diploma |
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British bachelor's degree |
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International Baccalaureate Diploma |
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Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers) |
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OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma |
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Open University courses |
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Scottish Advanced Higher |
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T-Levels |
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Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma – Core (awarded until 2016) ESW/KS Combined component |
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Other qualifications | ||
If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS. Recent relevant study to GCE A-level standard or above must have been completed within five years of the course intake date the applicant is applying for. Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website. |
Essential | ||
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EU/non-EU (international) qualifications | Requirements 2021/22 | |
IELTS | 6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands | |
International Baccalaureate Diploma (or equivalent, including internationally accredited Foundation courses). | 28 points (minimum grade 5 in Higher Level Mathematics) Country-specific entry requirements and qualifications. |
International students who cannot meet the direct entry requirements can begin their degree studies at Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC).
You could apply for a foundation course or a course at our International College. These routes have lower entry requirements and act as the bridge to a full degree. To find out more, please select your status:
Award: BEng (Hons) / MEng
Starting: Sep 2021
Award: BEng (Hons) / MEng
Starting: Sep 2021
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead. The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
Applying for a course and preparing for an interview can be a daunting process, so we have created a series of films to help you through the process, including what to put in your personal statement.
There are three ways to apply:
You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.
Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.
If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.
Your personal statement is a highly important part of your application. It gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.
You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.
Get more information on writing personal statements.
We offer a wide range of professionally accredited and vocational courses that require the purchase of, among other things, uniforms, equipment, subscriptions, professional body memberships and DBS checks, and may require you to pay to attend conferences or participate in placements.
The link below provides our estimate of the possible costs associated with key activities on specific courses. Please bear in mind that these are only estimates of costs based on past student experience and feedback. The actual costs to you could vary considerably (either greater or lower than these estimates) depending on your choices as you progress through the course. We set out where we can, based on experience, where these indicative costs are for activities that are optional or compulsory.
All our students are provided with 100 free pages of printing each year to a maximum total value of £15.
Find additional costs for your course
The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.
We understand that it is difficult to obtain work experience in the current situation and the restrictions in place. If you are unable to obtain work experience relevant to your course, this will not affect your application. If you do want to gain some experience to help prepare you for your course, there are other options available. The UCAS website details a range of alternative activities that you might want to consider.
We offer further information on possible undergraduate financial support. This includes the type of loans, grants and scholarships available both from the government and from Birmingham City University.
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 120 credits from the following list of CORE modules.
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
This biomedical engineering course is delivered by a team of experienced scientists, and biomedical and clinical engineers. You'll be exposed to a number of different teaching and learning styles, as well as a range of assessment types.
An interdisciplinary approach will introduce you to a range of modules that will focus on human physiology, engineering design principles, digital signal processing, biomechanics and biomaterials. Additional modules in laboratory skills and research methods will prepare you for your research topic in the final year.
A key feature of your first year is a shared core module which will allow you to learn alongside students on other health, life sciences and engineering courses in the School of Health Sciences, the School of Computing and Engineering, and the School of Digital Media and Technology.
You can gain international insight and experience a new culture with our Erasmus or Erasmus+ student exchange programmes. Students have spent a term at a number of major institutions, including the University of San Diego in the USA, as well as destinations in Cyprus and Denmark.
You can progress on to a doctoral training course, developing your research and exploring knowledge transfer skills further.
Ever wondered what you'd get up to on placement? Find out more from our current students
We'll develop you into a work-ready graduate. By undertaking suitable elective/optional placement opportunities, you'll gain a greater understanding of the causes and mechanisms underlying health, ageing and disease. This will allow you to collaboratively support the design and delivery of healthcare technology and or medical devices within a clinical or industrial setting.
You may also have invaluable opportunities to test and demonstrate new electro-mechanical models and tools for health and care delivery.
You may have the chance to undertake valuable work placements, either in the UK or internationally. This could be done in a local hospital, a manufacturing company or in another relevant sector.
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
Through our courses we give you the skills and experience needed to get a head start when applying for jobs. But we offer something extra too – Graduate+.
Our unique programme gives you the chance to develop valuable skills outside of the more formal classroom learning. We award points for Graduate+ activities (including firewalking!) and these can be put towards a final Graduate+ award.
The course provides ample opportunities to enter the rapidly expanding manufacturing or healthcare sectors, and work alongside medical professionals and scientists to design artificial limbs or develop novel sensors or devices which cater to diverse needs.
The degree provides strong transferrable skills, and if you don't wish to pursue a career in the healthcare sector, you can pursue careers in other engineering disciplines, such as law (knowledge transfer and patenting), medicine or market research.
In some international countries, biomedical engineering graduates have become entrepreneurs, setting up small-scale, yet successful, consultancy businesses.
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
The UK remains one of the world's leading study destinations for international students.
The first-class experience offered by universities are reflected in the world’s largest survey of international students. International students are more likely to recommend the UK than any other leading English-language study destination.
International students who have a serious interest in studying with us but who perhaps cannot meet the direct entry requirements, academic or English, or who have been out of education for some time, can enter Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC) and begin their degree studies.
BCUIC is part of the global Navitas Group, an internationally recognised education provider, and the partnership allows students to access the University’s facilities and services and move seamlessly through to achieving a Bachelor’s degree from Birmingham City University.
The creation of our new suite of courses in Sport and Life Sciences is yet another exciting development at Birmingham City University. The 10,500sq metre building at City South Campus will enable us to offer a wide range of new health, nutrition, biomedical science and sports courses, as well as providing a new home for our education programmes.
Not only are we investing £41 million in a new building to house the laboratories and teaching spaces needed, but we also plan to open up these facilities to benefit all students and the wider community. This will complement our existing sports facilities, which already provide a base for students to compete in activities ranging from rugby to jiu jitsu.
The courses will reflect the latest developments in our teaching and our focus on practice-led learning with work placements and live industry case studies incorporated into the curriculum. All courses have been co-designed with employers and are endorsed or accredited by professional bodies where appropriate.
By expanding our provision to these new areas, we will be helping to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing society today, such as obesity and unhealthy lifestyles, by encouraging and supporting healthy eating and greater physical activity.
In addition, we will be producing graduates who can support elite performers in meeting the UK’s ambitions for sporting success at events such as the Olympics and other world sporting tournaments. We are constantly looking to enhance the range of courses we offer - please check all our courses for the latest additions to our portfolio.
We have several Simulation men (SIM men) and Simulation babies (SIM babies) which are leading edge, anatomically correct mannequins used for teaching specific techniques such as advanced adult and paediatric life support skills, acute and high dependency clinical skills, first aid and communication skills.
SPACE is an innovative practice area all students can access to use equipment and resources to practise a wide range of skills in a safe, welcoming and supportive environment. It provides students with a creative learning environment to get the best educational experience before becoming a health care professional.
We offer up-to-date, innovative facilities that simulate the real situations that medical staff may come across. These resources are essential in offering students a hands-on introduction to health and social care practice.
Explore our facilities in 360 panoramas, including welcome videos from key members of staff and Health and Wellbeing student profiles.
Our £8.5 million Doug Ellis Sports Centre boasts an 80-station fitness suite, an eight-court sports hall, and workout and spinning studios. The centre offers state-of-the-art fitness training equipment and plenty of room for team sports including five-a-side football and cricket. An all-weather pitch adds the finishing touches to the centre.
Visitors to the gym can choose a personalised fitness programme, instructed by qualified fitness trainers, and take advantage of a selection of classes, such as yoga, salsa or body combat.
Our staff have incredible industry links and a wealth of experience, and often continue to work in their specialist areas.
With an overseas research student award (ORSAS) and University of Strathclyde scholarship, Vivek completed his Ph.D. (in Bioengineering) in 2009. Following the completion of his research degree, he commenced his work as a Research Assistant at University College of London (UCL) for 6 months, during which he was successful in obtaining a remarkable and valuable opportunity as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Health and Social Care Research at the Birmingham City University. During this period, he was engaged in undertaking biomechanical investigation of one of the patented medical devices designed by BCU.
In addition, during the same period Vivek also undertook substantial plan of action to identify and accomplish various professional needs so as to emerge as a successful academic member of staff within the faculty. This eventually allowed him to contribute to various learning, teaching and research activities for undergraduate nursing students within the Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences.
Dr. Bisola Mutingwende is a Lecturer in Biomedical Engineering within the department of Life Sciences. As a BCU Alumni, she completed her PhD in Biomedical Engineering and Healthcare Technology and first degree in BSc. Engineering Product Design specialising in healthcare technology (then called UCE). In between these, Bisola completed her MSc. in Advanced Mechanical Engineering focusing on surgical fixation techniques, at the University of Warwick.
Ian Chell MSc FSRP, is the visiting lecturer working with Viji on the Medical Device module. Ian is an experienced x-ray and medical engineer who obtained his Master of Science in Medical Electronics and Physics at St Barts Medical School, now QM Westfield.
Dr. Viji Ahanathapillai completed her B.Eng in India and obtained her PhD in Biomedical Signal and Image Processing at the University of Strathclyde. After her PhD, she worked as an Image Processing Algorithms Engineer for Lucid Software Ltd., working on industrial non-destructive testing application. Later, she joined the Institute of Digital Healthcare within University of Warwick as a post-doctoral researcher to work on wearable technology. She also worked with Learning and Development Centre at the University of Warwick to identify career development opportunities for research active staff. Most recently, she worked as a Development Scientist at Malvern Panalytical Ltd, developing novel image processing algorithms for nanoparticle sizing instrument range. In 2019, she joined Birmingham City University as a lecturer in Biomedical Engineering.
Dr. George Oguntala is a Lecturer with the Biomedical Engineering in the Faculty of HELS. Before joining Birmingham City University in June 2020, he has worked as a Post-Doctoral Research Assistant and Research Assistant in wireless communication, digital and smart health with the Department of Biomedical and Electronics Engineering, University of Bradford. His current research interest includes digital and smart health, IoT, burns, RFID systems, applied and computational mathematics.